Horn Upgrade.

[rocketsteve]

So, while I'm fixing loads of stuff around the bike - I thought I might dump the stock horn and replace it with a Turbo Monster now located next to the battery.

I can't fire up the bike because I'm waiting for the new Pingel with Reserve hence no fuel in the tank.

Question is - does the horn work with just the ignition on because I've got no power running through the one wire from the horn button.

Or does the engine need to be running?

[Paul H]

Stebel Nautilus is a great choice and cost
less than $50.oo. Come in black or chrome.
Some have gone with Wolo bad boy, also.

Paul H

[Carl La Fong]

I believe the one wire from the handlebar switch is a ground. You should have a switched, hot wire going to the relay. The horn will work when the ignition is on. The engine doesn't have to be running

[rocketsteve]

Thanks for the guidance, I'll attempt a Hot Wire set-up.

[rocketsteve]

Problem solved - 10A fuse had blown!

The mention of this Hot Wire thing sent me completely off the right track.

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Ha! Now you're gonna have to buy a new horn just because you want to scare people!

Congratulations on the easy fix! I understand the joy!

[hogv8]

IMHO a horn on a motorcycle is a totally useless device . OK for trying to get a fellow riders attention for some reason but to get the attention of a vieichle not so much . I have a cheap little quiet horn on my bike strictly for inspection , other than that it never gets used . The same goes for my truck , just never use it . I know there are drivers out there that could not live without their horn , I'm just not one of them .

[Ron Radulski]

Everybody needs a horn for clean "road rage"! It sure beats using a gun every time some moron cuts you off or doesn't see you! A horn will keep you out of jail, unlike a gun. IMHO. LOL

[Carl La Fong]

I have to disagree. Been riding for nearly 55 years and have used my horn many times, effectively. In CA, where lane splitting is legal, a good, loud horn is a must

[hogv8]

I have to disagree. Been riding for nearly 55 years and have used my horn many times, effectively. In CA, where lane splitting is legal, a good, loud horn is a must

Different strokes for different folks . Been riding also for over 55 years and have just have not been one to use my horn bike or truck .
Back years ago when they made a horn mandatory to pass inspection here in NY state me and my fellow chopper friends had one squeeze bulb horn among us that we would use just for inspection purposes .

[Puff]

While riding on the Belt PKWY on Long Island,
a car was merging onto the pkwy and didn't
see me to his immediate left. If I hadn't sounded
the air horn, he would have hit me.
When I nailed the horn, it scared the doo doo
out of him. He YANKED the steering wheel HARD
to the right, and went OFF the roadway.
My air horn saved my tail that day !
Air horns are the way-to-go on ALL bikes !

[Paul H]

The Stebel Nautilus and Wolo are both
mini air horns???

Paul H

[rocketsteve]

I'm sure they are Paul, as is the Twin Tone Air Horn I've fitted.

This bike frightened the crap out of me when I first started it, I really wasn't expecting an explosion in my workshop

Similar with this hooter but I felt I needed something a bit louder than the exhaust to let others know I'm there when I need to.

So when the crowd gather to see me fire up this monster - I hit the horn button (by mistake ) and make everyone jump, then hit the starter button and make them jump again!

[GordonBH]

Hi Steve,

I like the look of the nautilus, where did you fit yours?

[rocketsteve]

They only had red so I slid the battery over to the right and tucked it in here..

[Paul H]

I mounted mine between the carb and
water neck. It's under the tank. My thought was
it could be better heard from under there
than between the side panels???

Paul H

[The Mindless Philosopher]

I might relocate mine sooner or later. Get it out from under the body and put it where it can be heard better, but in a place where it is not easily seen. It's ugly.

[hogv8]

My horn sounds like " you meet the nicest people on a Honda " beep beep but it passes inspection .

[Puff]

Inspection ?!

WHAT inspection??

[hogv8]

Inspection ?!

WHAT inspection??

NY state vehicle inspection . None in Tennessee?

[rocketsteve]

I planned to slot the new horn in the Headstock where the original Wolo was fixed but there isn't enough room, so I fitted an 11" long steel tube with internal threads each end for both front tank bolts so I've restricted that Headstock space now.

Instructions on the new horn are quite specific; in making sure the horn outlet is facing downwards with only 25 degrees in either direction to play with.

Tried it out and it's louder than the Wolo & the Exhaust - so mission accomplished.

[Paul H]

Open bell of the horn down at less than 25 degrees
is more then likely to keep water out, IMHO???

Paul H

[Puff]

Jack,
No inspection at all in Dyersburg.
So we can get away with murder !
Larger Tn cities have inspection.
I DO remember NY State inspection,
as I grew up on Long Island.
Bill

[The Mindless Philosopher]

Current location on the trike...

[Ron Radulski]

Inspection ?!

WHAT inspection??

No inspection in Michigan!